No-confidence motion tabled against Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan
The Cricketer turned Politician may soon have to step down from his post if the motion is voted successful.
Pakistan’s opposition submitted a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Parliament on Monday. The debate on the motion will begin on the 31st of March and a vote will be concluded on or before the 4th of April deciding the fate of the Cricketer turned Politician who came to power in 2018 with a promise of Naya Pakistan but could make little difference to the already dwindling economy.
The resolution was moved by Opposition Leader and President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Shehbaz Sharif in the lower house who is confident of having the support of more than 172 members required to topple the current government in the 342 members Pakistan Assembly. At present Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has 155 members of its own in the assembly and has maintained a key alliance with the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) to stay in power so far.
If the plans of the opposition go into effect, then Shahbaz Sharif will most likely replace Imran Khan. Cleric and President of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman may replace Arif Alvi in Pakistan’s President office. The chairman’s post may be taken by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gillani.
Adding to Khan’s problems a no-trust motion was also raised against Usman Buzdar, Chief Minister of Pakistan’s biggest province Punjab. The minister thereafter submitted his resignation with immediate effect. Pakistan’s PM soon played his cards right and in order to maintain his ties with PML-Q offered the vacant post to PML-Q leader Pervaiz Elahi. The move can be deemed a masterstroke as earlier the opposition gave Elahi a similar offer if he agreed to switch sides and support them in their no-confidence motion against Imran Khan.
As of now, Imran Khan’s government is banking on the International Monetary Fund to release the next share of a $6billion rescue package to protect the shrinking economy as prices of essential commodities continue to rise and the political situation in the country remains volatile.
It is being reported that so far more than a dozen members have deserted Imran Khan’s alliance including the Balochistan Awami Party, which said that it has switched sides and “accepted the opposition’s invitation”. The federal minister for housing and PML-Q member Tariq Basheer Cheema has also decided to support the opposition in the no-confidence motion.
As per experts Imran Khan who came to power with a strong backing of the military no longer enjoys the same popularity as Pakistan’s PM as far as the influential military is concerned. With few options at his disposal, Khan conducted a rally at the Parade Ground in Islamabad as a show of strength titled Amr Bil Maroof’ (enjoin the good) and labelled it as a historic event. During his one-and-a-half-hour-long speech, he said that some foreign elements are using local politicians and money to fiddle with the country’s foreign policy and added that he has evidence to support his claims. He also said that these foreign powers want to overthrow his government and cause the destruction of Pakistan.
Pakistan Muslim League (N) vice-president Maryam Nawaz said that Khan had nothing to reveal at the show of power and the speech was no more than his farewell speech. Pakistan People’s Party leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that “we have the support of required lawmakers to oust Imran Khan’s government”. The coming few days will be very crucial for Khan’s political career and the result of the no-confidence vote can have long-lasting effects on Pakistan’s economy and its relations with neighbouring countries including India.
